Google AI Overviews vs AI Mode : Key features and Differences

Google has recently introduced AI Mode, an innovative feature designed to revolutionize the search experience by harnessing the power of advanced AI technology. This development follows the enhancements made to AI Overviews, which provide concise summaries of search queries. In this article, we will delve into the features of AI Mode, how it differs from AI Overviews, and what this means for users.

AI Overviews: A Brief Overview

AI Overviews are a well-established feature in Google Search, offering users a quick and concise summary of key points related to their search queries. These summaries are generated using Google’s AI technology and are designed to give users a rapid understanding of a topic. AI Overviews have been upgraded with Gemini 2.0, enhancing their capabilities in areas such as coding and advanced mathematics. However, they are static and do not support follow-up conversations or interactions.

Introducing AI Mode

AI Mode represents a significant leap forward in search technology. It is an experimental feature that transforms the search interface into a more immersive and interactive experience. This  new “AI Mode” feature brings chatbot-like experience directly to Google Search. You can engage in complex conversations with Google’s AI, asking follow-up questions and receiving detailed, contextually relevant responses. Built on AI Overviews, tt uses a custom version of Gemini 2.0 to offer more advanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities.

Also read, AI Mode vs. Traditional Search: SEO’s Guide to the New Landscape

Where to find AI Mode

AI Mode is a new tab within Google Search, right now only for those accepted into the Google Search Labs experiment, that brings you into a more AI-like interface.

How to Access AI Mode

Accessing Google’s AI Mode is currently available through Google Search Labs, with early access granted to Google One AI Premium subscribers. Here’s how you can try it:

Steps to Access AI Mode:

Join the Search Labs Waitlist:

• Go to Google Search Labs and sign up for the AI Mode experiment.
• Wait for approval, which will be confirmed via email.

Access AI Mode on the Web:

• Go to google.com/aimode directly to access AI Mode.
• Alternatively, enter a query on google.com, and tap the “AI Mode” tab below the search bar.

Access AI Mode on Mobile:

• Open the Google app on your mobile device.
• Tap the AI Mode icon located below the Search bar in the Home tab.

Interact with AI Mode:

• Once accessed, you can enter queries, ask follow-up questions, and view past interactions in the AI Mode history.

Key Features of AI Mode

1. Conversational Experience: Unlike AI Overviews, AI Mode supports a conversational flow, allowing users to ask follow-up questions and explore topics in depth. This interactivity makes it feel more like a chatbot than a traditional search engine.

2. Multimodal Capabilities: AI Mode is not limited to text input. Users can interact using voice or images, making it a versatile tool for various types of queries.

3. Comprehensive Responses: AI Mode uses a “query fan-out” technique, conducting multiple related searches simultaneously to provide comprehensive responses. These responses include links to further information, allowing users to explore topics extensively.

4. Advanced AI Technology: The feature is powered by Google’s latest AI advancements, ensuring that responses are accurate, relevant, and up-to-date.

Differences Between AI Mode and AI Overviews

• Interactivity: The most significant difference is the level of interactivity. AI Mode allows for a conversational experience with follow-up questions, while AI Overviews are static summaries without interactive capabilities.

• Depth of Information: AI Mode provides more detailed and diverse responses by analyzing multiple sources simultaneously, whereas AI Overviews focus on summarizing key points.

• Availability: AI Mode is currently limited to select users through Google Search Labs, whereas AI Overviews are widely available to all users.

Implications for Users

The introduction of AI Mode marks a significant shift in how users interact with search engines. It offers a more personalized and engaging experience, allowing users to explore complex topics in a conversational manner. This feature is particularly beneficial for users who need detailed information or want to delve deeper into a subject without having to sift through numerous search results.

However, as AI Mode is still in its experimental phase, it may not be available to all users immediately. Google’s decision to initially offer it to Google One AI Premium subscribers suggests that the company is testing its capabilities and user feedback before a broader rollout.

Conclusion

Google’s AI Mode represents a bold step into the future of search technology, offering users a more immersive and interactive experience. By providing detailed responses and supporting follow-up conversations, AI Mode sets a new standard for search engines. While AI Overviews continue to serve as a quick reference tool, AI Mode is poised to revolutionize how we engage with information online. As AI Mode evolves and becomes more widely available, it will be exciting to see how it transforms the way we search and interact with digital information.